As a leader, I have learned that some leadership lessons come easy and some come hard.
My most recent leadership lessons have come unexpectedly.
You see, over the past two years I have dreamed with Blueprint CEO, Mike Kendrick, about developing a new mobile app that would bring together thousands of top sermons, devotionals, e-books, podcasts, and bible studies all in one place, which would be customized for the user.
I believed we would eventually get this new project off the ground, but didn’t expect it to be so soon. I’m excited that we’ll be launching iDisciple with Family Christian Stores!
As the new Chief Operating Officer of iDisciple, I have learned eight valuable leadership lessons that I’d like to share with you. Whether you lead a small or large business, a ministry, a family, or a football team, I hope these principles will apply to you.
1. Leaders invite their team into a big vision.
When you’re filled with dreams, and God’s in it, all things are possible. A new idea works because a crazy band of people believe they can do anything. No matter what your company does, as a leader, are you seized by a big vision? Why would you ever give your life to a lesser challenge?
2. Everybody needs to have skin in the game.
They must be personally invested. Every team member has to take ownership.
3. Success doesn’t come from a slogan or a speech; it happens because you put the right people in right positions.
I love what Jim Collins says, “If you have the right people, the problem of how to motivate and manage people largely goes away. The right people will do the right things and deliver the best results.” Our first hire was John Smith and he is amazing! He is a get-it-done kind of person and has set the standard for everyone else on our team. Put the right people in the right positions to make it happen!
4. The biggest challenge is to get your team focused on the future.
As an organization grows, the more clearly the leader needs to be able to see ahead to get their team to look ahead, too.
5. There is nothing worse than working for a boss who doesn’t want to win.
As a boss, manager, or supervisor, if you do not want to win, how can you expect the attitudes of those in your organization to be different? Everyone takes their cue from you. Your employees will only follow you as high as you take them.
6. Making any company successful is all about focus and passionate commitment.
If you are a leader, look for people who are filled with passion and a desire to get things done. Are you looking for action-oriented people?
7. When in doubt, communicate.
I have often repeated this to my team until I am sick of hearing it.
8. Fight for simplicity.
From day one we made simplicity our driving force. Leaders recognize that organizations have a tendency to drift toward complexity. Simplicity is more than a goal—it’s a skill. We have developed a love affair to keep things simple and protect things from becoming more complicated. I think we are better off because of it.
Whether you lead a company, division, department or your family, Romans 12 tells us to lead in a way that honors Christ. So lead well!
